Memorial Day in the US is set aside to remember and honor those who have fought and died in our wars. This is most appropriate to think deeply about the sacrifices made by these men and women, to recognize their bravery and dedication, and to comprehend the human cost of warfare.  It is a day to be compassionate. To feel deeply what war means to the people who fought it, to their families, and to the country that asked them to fight it.

I believe that it is important to not only remember the men and women who fought on “our” side, but to also think deeply and compassionately about the men and women who fought on the opposing side. Their bravery, their dedication, and their sacrifice are no less. The human cost of warfare is to all who are involved. Both sides are populated with men and women who for the most part believe in the “rightness” of their cause, believe in the necessity of the battle, and are equally dedicated to their families, communities, and countries.

Contemplative practice cultivates mindfulness, a heightened awareness of the present moment. In a deep contemplative, meditative state, focused entirely on the present moment for the most part there is only peace and love. There is only a deep appreciation for life in its totality. There is no reason for war. Fear is rooted in worry about potential future harmful events. Hatred is rooted in our conclusions about the past. These two emotions underlie the rationales for warfare. In the mindful, meditative state, these cannot exist as the past that underlies hatred and the future that underlies fear are not present. So when we are truly mindful we are at peace.

But, paradoxically, this mindful state is actually the very state that is reported to be experienced by the people actively engaged in the moment in combat. They experience a heightened state of awareness of the present moment. But unlike our everyday contemplative state, fear is a reality of the present moment. The heightened awareness in combination with a palpable fear that is rooted in the present moment generates an extreme level of arousal. This can actually be addictive and the warriors that experience it often look forward to revisiting that state. It is virtually identical to the state achieved by the thrill seeker in the midst of their experience. Warriors also report that they feel so totally alive that everyday life pales in comparison. This frequently produces difficulties in transition back from warfare.

I believe that Memorial Day is a time to contemplate war, not just the humans involved, but particularly the reasons for war. As we contemplate deeply we can recognize that the causes of warfare are complex and the cumulative effect of decades if not centuries of history. In the immediate time leading up to war it is virtually impossible to stop. The forces driving it have built to such a crescendo that trying to prevent it is like an unarmed individual trying to stop a freight train at full speed. This clearly leads to the conclusion that the time to intervene is well ahead of time.

Honest mindful contemplation can lead to an understanding of how these historical forces play upon the individual’s thoughts and decisions. It can lead to an understanding of what is needed to change that pattern. It can lead to stopping the train before it ever leaves the station.

So use this Memorial Day for deep contemplation, for compassion and appreciation of the human sacrifices, but also for deep reflection on what we should do to prevent these horrors from occurring again in the future.

CMCS